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3rd Doha Forum on Democracy , Development & Free Trade
(14-15 April,2003)
His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the
State of Qatar inaugurated the conference.
H.H. said addressing the forum: (The convening of this
conference under the critical circumstances, through which
our region is passing, is clear evidence of the importance
we attach to the vital issues that will be discussed in its
sessions.
We regard democracy and responsible popular participation in
decision making and the running of state affairs as a
pre-requisite for the development of our countries and
societies and setting the role of the constitutional,
political and legal institutions needed for building the
state which is capable of addressing the requirements of the
contemporary world and future challenges.
At the same time, we believe that the economic openness,
encouragement of the private sector and investments,
updating the educational systems as well as strengthening
the bonds of cultural and civilization exchange and
interaction between peoples and nations, constitute, on
their part, necessary foundations for the realization of the
objectives of the development, modernization and progress we
aspire. Political democracy and economic and social
democracy are, in our view, inseparable twins. Indeed, they
are the indispensable means for the process of development
and prosperity we seek, and work for…
The problems our region is suffering from are not limited to
political and security aspects; but there are other
challenges and difficulties, which we have to tackle in the
economic, social and environmental fields.
These are of no less significance and impact than regional
conflicts in terms of their negative repercussions.
Indeed, poverty, unemployment, social and cultural
backwardness, decline of standards of education and
vocational training, mismanagement, poor economic
performance, lack and disparity of job opportunities, all of
which form sources of threat that cannot be ignored.
Furthermore, they represent major obstacles which impede the
attainment of progress and development. It is no longer
possible to put aside these difficult economic and social
conditions without according due attention to them, but it
has rather become urgent and imperative to find out plans
and programs that guarantee reaching effective and quick
solutions to them….).
His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani,
the First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister addressed the
forum.
H.E said (The third in the series of conferences organized
by Qatar on democracy and free trade is rather special. It
was held at a determining moment and at an exciting stage in
the history of the Arab region, I would not be exaggerating
if I were to say in the history of the world system: the
events of the Iraqi war had reached their peak and all were
waiting to see how things would go.
When the conference was convened under the aegis of his
Highness Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the
land, in the presence of such a great group of intellectuals
and politicians from different countries and of different
orientations, I was certain it would be indeed a very
special conference. Looking at this elite gathering, I
expected the debate would be at the highest level and in
keeping with the importance of the moment and the
seriousness of its events. This also makes me more convinced
than ever of the importance for Qatar’s political and
economic orientations to continue towards democracy and free
trade, so that it can play its role at both regional and
global levels).
Throughout its sessions, the Conference discussed the two
issues of democracy and free trade as a general starting
point from which stemmed several closely related topics. The
angle from which democracy was approached was widened so as
to include religion, education, institutions, human rights
and information. As for the issue of free trade, it
encompassed open markets, sustainable development and
economic institutions.
All the debates took into consideration the regional and
international conditions,
concentrating first and foremost on the present and future
concerns of the Arab region, particularly the events in
Iraq, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the stand against
terrorism in the light of the ongoing changes in the
international order and the aims of world strategies in the
region.
The preparatory working paper for the Conference greatly
contributed to drawing the main lines of approach to the
issues and problems to be discussed.
The presentations of the main speakers during the sessions
were of a high level in terms of the information, ideas and
views on the subjects.
Equally important were the addresses at the opening session
by speakers belonging to national, regional and
international institutions, whose role and importance in
these fields are well known.
The discussions of the participants played a positive role
in enriching the dialogue with their depth and courage.
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4th Doha Forum on Democracy ,
Development & Free Trade (5-6 April,2004)
The Conference was held on the 5th and 6th of April 2004 in
Doha. It was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Sheikh Hamad
Bin Khalifa Al Thani,Emir of the State of Qatar in the
presence of about (500) participants representing several
official academic, research, information and cultural
circles in different parts of the world in addition to the
representatives of some international and regional
organizations and bodies.
The work of the Conference was completed in the course of
(10)sessions. The responsibility of organizing and
moderating each of these sessions was given fully to a
specific institution in a manner that will be explained
later. In the course of the meetings several working papers
were presented by the panelists to the tune of (52) papers.
The discussions amongst the participants concentrated on the
papers. There were (71) observations and the panelists also
contributed approximately (36) comments.
Dealt with the issue of: “Education and its role in
promoting the march of The first topic democracy”. The
session was organized and chaired by: “The University of
Qatar and the Gulf Institute for Studies”; the discussion
dealt with the responsibility of education in the Arab
Region for the state of democracy therein. Two main
orientations emerged from the different opinions expressed,
one of which was to consider education in our region fully
responsible, since it does not contain nor adopt a culture
of democracy in the required manner but rather basic
elements obstructing democracy.
The other main orientation considered Arab education
innocent of such a charge and rather a victim of the
official Arab political and social order. The session
witnessed the expression of several views by the panelists,
as well as by the participants concerning the basis for the
reform of education and the external role to be played to
achieve that, as well as the impact of religious thought in
this particular area.
They also discussed the Qatari experience in the field of
the development of education.
Another topic discussed is: “The importance of culture in
economic development and democratic awareness”. This
discussion was organized and chaired by: “The Arab Press
Club in France” and it stressed the fact that the cultural
element has become the main promoter of political dynamics
in the world. The discussion concluded that democratic
salvation cannot be achieved without full freedom of
cultural and epistemological choice. The discussions also
expressed concern over the situation of Arab reality and the
deterioration there of, all of which require immediate
reform. They also discussed the fact that Arab political
culture is relatively receding at
all levels and is facing many challenges (the culture of
simplified dualities- the culture of all or nothing - the
culture of the fear of the other- and the culture of plots).
Also, the possibility of seeing the West attempt to impose a
ready-made culture and global criteria ready for
implementation or application.
That is why some of the participants warned against the
disregard for the increasing separation between the Arabs
and the Islamic world because of cultural misunderstanding.
Others called upon culture to wage the battle of development
and democracy provided it would not give priority to
material wealth at the expense of the higher values of
humanity; they also called upon culture not to
disregard or forget the political and cultural sovereignty
of the peoples. Moreover the issue of
secularization also elicited a very lively discussion
between the panelists and the participants.
The third topic of discussion was devoted to “The role of
economic development in enhancing and promoting democracy”.
It was organized and chaired by “The Council for Foreign
Relations in the U.S”. One intervention dealt with the main
pillars of economic development (education- political and
economic empowerment of women in society- transparency-
respect for personal rights and the sovereignty of law- the
role of the international community- and active civil
society). Another presentation dealt with the issue of state
security and democracy, while a third concentrated on the
importance of the role of women in achieving economic
development, stating three basic elements, the education of
girls -controlled of women over economic resources and the
participation of the feminine labour force. Yet, another
working paper dealt with the issue of generating
concentrated wealth and the importance of "risk capital”.
These presentations elicited very extensive dialogue and
discussions between the participants and the panelists,
particularly underlining the objection of some to what had
been said about "risk capital” and the role of banks
concerning the working capital. The question of alternative
sources of energy was also fully discussed, as well as the
establishment of a development bank for the Middle East were
of particular interest to all the participants.
organized and moderated the session devoted to
“The Arab Organization for Human Rights”. The main
discussing the issue of: “Transition in the Arab World,
issues and problematics”speakers, i.e . the panelists dealt
with the state of democracy in the Arab Region, the projects
and
initiatives for reform from within and from outside the
region at the present moment, all of which creates a very
difficult situation for Arab governments.
Others discussed those external projects particularly, the
American project and the fact that it is surrounded with an
aura of suspicion because of its several inherent errors, in
addition to the several existing confrontations in the
region particularly in view of the ongoing Israeli-
Palestinian conflict and the fact that they represent
obstacles hampering the establishment of the bases of
democracy.
Some other participants dealt particularly with the steps
adopted by the state of Qatar on the path of democracy in
the course of the past years. The presentations elicited
very lively discussions in the hall between two main lines
of thought, one objecting to the import or the imposition of
democracy from outside, and rejecting the idea of those who
come to the region in order to teach us democracy.
The other line of thought considered that the world has
become practically a cosmic "flat" and not a cosmic village,
which makes it necessary for the inhabitants of that "flat"
to stand up, by force if necessary to any attempts to
destroy the facilities of the "flat" by other inhabitants.
The fifth topic dealt with: “The impact of crises and
instability on the development of democracy in the Middle
East”. The session dealing with this topic was organized and
moderated ”. One of panelists spoke of the role by: “The
Westminster Institution for Democracy in the U.Kof that
institution in helping enhance democracy and its experience
in this respect.
Another speaker dealt with the impact of external crises on
the state, with regard to the economic losses it causes or
with regard to the fact that such crises may lead to
reducing the scope of democracy within the country on the
pretext of the need to deal with external threat.
A third presentation dealt with the possibility that crises
and instability are not alone in hampering or are not the
main obstacles to democracy, whereas another presentation
expressed an opposite opinion and considered that internal
crises do not put an end to democracy, but rather that such
crises and instability may be the strongest factors in
leading to a mature democracy.
This opinion was supported by another point of view
affirming that the crisis is not an obstacle, but is
essential for the achievement of democracy.
These opinions were reflected on the discussions with the
participants, some of whom called for the necessity for the
Middle East to obtain the democracy that it deserved,
provided it stems from within the region stating that
external obstacles faced by the region, foremost of which is
the stand of the super powers with regard to the Palestinian
and Iraqi questions. Some other participants expressed their
concern over what had been said about the absence of reason,
which would prevent the forces of political Islam from
coming to power.
Another session dealt with: “The European role in promoting
democracy in the Arab World”. It was organized and moderated
by: “The Institute of International Strategic Relations in
France”. Some of the presentations dealt with the different
methodological approaches of Europe on the one hand and the
U.S. on the other concerning the way of establishing
democracy.
Another panelist dealt with the extent of the possibility
for European and Western values to become an ex ample for
others, not, however, by exporting such values or having
them copied.
A third panelist compared Europe to the Arab region with
regard to the issue of democracy, affirming that no single
state can claim to give lessons to others with regard to
reforms.
A fourth panelist referred to the inevitability of having
Europe deal with the question of democracy in the Middle
East and of the need to devote serious thought to the matter
on the basis of its security and urgent interests, provided
that the key to any move should be towards enhancing
democracy in the Arab World and to develop a partnership
with the middle class, and civil society, both being a
source of development in the region.
Yet, another presentation stated that Europe would seem to
be closer to the region, not only geographically and
culturally, but also because Europe is more understanding
and objective with regard to the main issues within the
region foremost among which the Palestinian question as
opposed to the obvious American bias for Israel.
The participants had many comments with regard to the
presentations. Some considered the presentations to be
merely a number of statements in defense of Europe or the
Western World, while others linked Europe's success to the
extent of its capacity to offer assistance in finding a
solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. A third participant
called upon Europe to bring pressure to bear upon America
and to convince the latter of the need for both of them
together to assume responsibility in this respect. Others
spoke of the weak credibility as regards the role of Europe
in
the region as a result of the lack of political efficiency
of the European Union, in addition to the complex
bureaucracy that Europe is facing.
“The Royal Institute for International Affairs in the
UK”assumed the responsibility of organizing and moderating
yet another topic entitled "Iraq: Is Foreign Intervention a
Generator or an Obstacle to Democracy in the Middle East".
The discussion started with the assumption that Arab regimes
wish for the failure of American intervention in Iraq. Some
supported the idea, while others objected to such a
statement.
The discussion then dealt with the gravity of the Iraqi war
at both the Iraqi and regional level, and some panelists
criticized the incomplete democracy in Europe and the United
States of America.
Some presentations spoke of the justifications for foreign
intervention from an economic point of view, stating that
such an intervention is necessary with regard to the
Palestinian issue, and criticized Israeli politics and
practice against the Palestinians, all of which reveal
Israel as being a non liberal state, as well as being
unworthy of a state which declares itself to be a democratic
state.
The discussion between the panelists and the participants
revealed the predominance of a current refusing the
principle of imposing democracy from the outside,
particularly by force, as is the case in Iraq at present,
they expressed suspicion regarding the credibility of the
stand of the United States of America bearing in mind their
position regarding the Palestinian question. On the other
hand, some speakers expressed interest in
Turkish-American-Israeli relations, and raised
questions as to the nature of such relations.
” was given the responsibility of “The Council for
Foreign Relations of the United States preparing and
moderating a session entitled: "The Formulation of Public
Opinion, Democratic Application and the Role of Arab
Information". One of the presentations dealt with the role
of the information office in the White House and its methods
of work, in the light of what was revealed by the events of
the 11th of September as to America's need to change its
manner of connecting with the rest of the world. Another
presentation gave actual examples concerning the attempt to
discover the facts connected with the investigations'
reports in order to put a stop to the rumours aiming at
destabilizing public opinion, or rumours aimed at reaching
wrong conclusions and adopting the wrong stands.
Another working paper dealt with the role and responsibility
of foreign information French) in Arabic for creating the
climate conducive to assisting and encouraging the
development of democracy in the region. Another speaker
dealt with the role of journalists in shaping public
opinion.
A fourth panelist reviewed the obstacles and problematics
hampering the role of Arab information, particularly those
caused by the State, and preventing the development of
democratic mechanism. Another panelist dealing with the same
topic spoke of the requirement for the future and called for
the "institutionalization" and establishment of a charter of
honour for Arab information.
The comment of the participants was in agreement with the
presentations of the panelists, particularly regarding the
role of the state in limiting Arab information. However the
question concerning the danger of assassination threatening
some media men, and the accusation of the United States for
being directly responsible thereof, loomed high in the
discussions of this topic.
Another topic entitled: "Free Trade and the Promotion of
Democracy in the Arab World, Good Governance and Civil
Society " was the subject of another session. This session
was organized and moderated by: “The Centre of Studies and
Research on the Arab Nations and the Middle East- in
Geneva”.
One of the presentations discussed present day reality as
regards democracy in the Arab World concluding that what is
taking place is not aimed at establishing democracy through
democratic political regime, but is rather the result of the
pressure brought to bear by the international community,
because of the way they view the radical regimes as enemies
of the international community.
A second panelist spoke of breaking up monopolies and dealt
with what was referred to as "the magic formula". A third
presentation dealt with the European view of cooperation and
partnership in order to achieve reforms, mentioning the
importance of Middle East partnership even though it has not
been realized to date and has only achieved average results
because of the fact that there was no success in achieving
peace in the Arab Region. The same panelist referred to the
new extended European policy of relations of good
neighborhood which was launched inJanuary of 2003 and which
in fact, offers a new perspective of the future.
Another panelist spoke of the success of the process of the
European integrationas opposed to the failure of its Arab
counterpart. Yet, a fifth presentation dealt with the role
of civil society in developing democracy as a fourth estate.
The discussion between the participants and the panelists
centered around the question of separating religion from the
state, some explaining that it is not impossible to
establish the concept of Islamic democracy, while others
considered that the failure of all attempts at Arab
integration as compared to European integration is due to
the Arab’s incapability of adopting a political decision,
while another speaker considered the role of Israel to be
responsible for such a failure.
assumed the responsibility of organizing and “The Islamic
Centre in the United States” moderating the special session
devoted to: “The policies and economics of energy in the
coming stage”. Some of the presentations dealt with the
political dimension of availability of resources, warning
states owning oil and oil-products not to consider this a
pretext to evade reform policies.
Another presentation dealt with world energy policies within
the framework of the radical relationship linking sources of
energy to economics, to the environment, to education and to
equality of opportunities.
Another panelist mentioned the fact that the USA would be
reducing their purchases in oil and natural gas from the
Middle East and the Gulf in the long run, a fact that
necessitates that such states should vary their economies,
and declare the innocence of the OPEC organization of the
charge of having an impact on the prices, laying the blame
on the US system of dealing with gasoline after the adoption
of the resolution for amending the law on pure air in 1990.
A fourth panelist affirmed that there is an agreement within
the United States concerning the need to reduce the price of
energy, while there is a disagreement concerning the way and
means of so doing, stating that the availability of energy
for all states may not be reflected in the form of economic
development and welfare for the people, but rather it may
divert attention away from the requirement of economic
growth.
Some of the participants expressed their concern regarding
the possibility of having false expectations, while others
expressed their reservations concerning the possibility of
seeing the United States of America reduce their dependence
on foreign oil, and regarding what had been said concerning
the tendency of the United States to shift their dependence
towards the global sources of energy.
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5th Doha Forum on Democracy ,
Development & Free Trade (29-30 March,2005)
Opening the Forum H.H. Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has
stressed reforms should be genuine and not in response to
outside pressure.
Addressing some 500 prominent figures attending the
conference, the Amir said it was not enough to introduce
"partial amendments to avoid criticism or ease pressure".
Reform now has "new supporters ... after only few voices
pinned hopes on the birth of the era of democracy in the
region", he told participants from some 50 countries at the
forum's fifth edition.
Delegates at the meetings include US congressmen and
European lawmakers, with France sending a 50-strong
contingent.
Chirac address
In an address to the gathering read by Secretary of State
for State Reform Eric Woerth, French President Jacques
Chirac stressed that reforms must come from within, a point
often made by leaders of the Gulf region.
While France encourages reform in the Arab world, "it knows
that changes must come from inside and take place at the
pace chosen by each of the countries of the region", he
said.
"Every reform initiative must be based on the expectations
and needs of states and civil societies," the French leader
said.
He also said a fairer distribution of wealth was a
prerequisite to stability.
"In an increasingly globalised economy, our common efforts
must reconcile the requirements of political reform and
economic justice," he said. Go to top
6th Doha Forum on Democracy ,
Development & Free Trade (11-13 April,2006)
750 participants to took part in the 6th Doha Forum on
Democracy, Development and Free Trade held on Tuesday with
560 international participants from 72 countries attending,
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani inaugurated
the three-day forum and delivered a keynote address. The
delegates, including politicians, intellectuals,
businessmen, NGO representatives and journalists, will hold
12 sessions and four-roundtable discussions. First Deputy
Premier and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin
Jabor al-Thani delivered a speech on ‘Democracy and free
trade’, Each session had six speakers from different
continents.
HH THE EMIR INAUGURATED THE FORUM. HH THE EMIR HAS WARNED
THAT CHALLENGING THE CHOICES OF PEOPLES WILL ONLY RESULT IN
FULFILLING THE FEELINGS OF DESPAIR AND GENERATE WAVES OF
WRATH. MOREOVER OPPOSING THE POPULAR WILL CONTRADICTS THE
SPIRIT OF DEMOCRATIC OPTION THAT CALLS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH
WHAT THE MAJORITY DECIDES, HH THE EMIR ADDED. TOUCHING ON
THE REGIONAL SECURITY, HH THE EMIR SAID ESTABLISHING SUCH A
SECURITY COULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNLESS DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE
MAKES PROGRESS, BECAUSE SECURITY IS NOT JUST MILITARY
ARRANGEMENTS AGREED UPON BY STATES. IT RATHER REQUIRES
INTERNAL POLITICAL MEASURES WHICH ENABLE THE CITIZEN TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE AFFAIRS OF HIS COUNTRY AND SHOULDER HIS
RESPONSIBILITIES.
H.E. SHEIKH HAMAD BIN JASSIM BIN JABR AL-THANI First Deputy
Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs also addressed
the forum.
His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani,
the First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, stressed that
fundamental basics of democracy that aim to attain social
justice are achieved through building a state of
institutions, human rights, effective citizen participation
in management and ruling, transparency and accounting for
acts, which guarantee all the respect of the people’s
choices.
THE Deputy leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords in
the UK, Lord David Howell, gave a call for setting up a
network of countries across continents for ensuring smooth
trade and better transparency among nations.
While lauding the role of regional forums in finding
long-lasting and effective solutions for many controversial
issues, the British parliamentarian highlighted the
necessity of such organizations to have an excellent
understanding with international forums, especially UN-led
bodies.
Lord Howell made these remarks while addressing delegates at
a session on ‘Regional Institutions and Future challenges’.
Secretary General of Egypt’s Al-Ghad Party, Naji al-Ghatrifi,
told a session titled “Opposition and Power”, that such
regimes have been playing double games as in the case of the
establishment of civil society organizations.
Speaking about opposition parties in Egypt, al-Ghatrifi said
the Mubarak regime was responsible for their poor
performance in the recent elections.
Abdul Bari Addwan, editor-in-chief of Al Quds Al Arabi, a
prominent London-based Arabic daily, made a comment at the
forum during a question and answer session.
Israel, said Addwan, had some 3,000 nuclear heads but nobody
at this conference mentioned this, while many referred to
the Iran nuke issue.
Addwan said that Israel killed 3,000 innocent people in the
Palestinian territories and 'terrorism' was defined as an
act of killing and torturing innocent civilians.
Samuel Huntington’s theory of “Clash of Civilisations” was
flatly rejected by speakers at a seminar titled “Dialogue of
Civilisations in lieu of Clash of Civilisations” held as
part of the Forum.
The president of Western Michigan University, Dr Judith
Bailey, rejected Huntington’s premise saying that it was an
easily refutable argument. She indicated that Huntington’s
view is very simplistic and fell short on respect for human
conditions.
“Huntington presumes that there is a finite limit on the
human spirit and that human being can only love and respect
one’s culture and perspective, we call that a zero sum
game”, Dr Bailey said while adding that Huntington quoted
from Michael Dibdin’s Dead Lagoon novel: “There can be no
true friends without enemies, we can not love what we are
unless we hated what not we are”.
Speakers at a session on “The age of great immigrations”
held as part of the Forum made a call to explore immediate
ways to check uncontrolled immigration from certain parts of
the world, notably in North Africa, to some European
countries, especially France.
Initiating discussions, Yazid Sabeg, chgairman and general
director of communications and systems `in France suggested
imparting education among younger generation of immigrants
about the problems a migrant likely to encounter in new
situations, encourage the development of countries from
where emigrants come from and thus trying to reduce the
immigration to the maximum, if not to the “zero” level, as
he called. Go to top |
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Organized by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the
three-day conference (The seventh Doha Forum on Democracy,
Development and Free Trade), at Ritz-Carlton-Doha, dealt
with the role of democracy in socio-economic development,
the role of education in democratization, the Greater Middle
East Initiative, the social dimension of liberalized trade,
and good governance.
It also discussed the roles of civil society organizations
and mass media in democratization and promotion of human
rights in the Arab world.
HH The Emir of State of QATAR Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa
al-Thani opened the seventh Doha Conference on Democracy,
Development and Free Trade, at Ritz-Carlton-Doha, which is
also being attended by 600 delegates from 71 countries,
consisting of political leaders, diplomats, intellectuals,
academicians, businessmen and media personnel.
They included Finland President Tarja Halonen, UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, leader of the UK House of
Commons Jack Straw, Arab League secretary-general Amr
Moussa, former Lebanese premier Dr Saleem al-Hoss, and
former president of South Africa F W de Klerk.
HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad and Prime Minister HE
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani The Qatari prime
Minister and ministers were also present. The event has
attracted a large participation from the US Congress and the
UK House of Commons as well as Arab, Asian and African
business leaders.
Hundreds of other diplomats, academics, and professionals
from around the world also attended and held discussions.
Four Detroit-area Arab Americans attended, including former
Dearborn mayoral candidate and Assistant Wayne County
Prosecutor Abed Hammoud, publisher of "The Arab American
News" Osama Siblani, President of the Bint Jebail Cultural
Center Naim Bazzi, and Vice President of the Arab American
and Chaldean Council, Dr. Radwan Khouri.
HH the Emir of
state of QATAR Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani
called for “the correct understanding” of the reform process
“which must be comprehensive and deep and not partial nor
intermittent”.
HH the Emir said the main reason for “the democratic
incapacity” in the region was due to the lack of correct
understanding of reform.
“There can be no economic reform without political reform,
which must be supported and guided by social reform,” he
stressed.
Following are
excerpts from the address of HH the Emir:
I welcome you all to the Doha Forum on Democracy,
Development and Free Trade in its seventh session. Since its
first session, your forum has passed through a period of
time which, I consider enough to review the progress of the
basic issues with which the forum is concerned.
I start with democracy where the interest in its development
in our region has grown during the past few years. The hope
was that the region would make up for the time it missed and
make a shortcut to catch up with the global march to
freedom.
But you know that what has been achieved so far is not up
the aspired level. Of late, there has even been a sort of
lassitude and slackness in pushing forward the reform
process with the pretext that the conditions in the region
do not allow (it).
No two persons would disagree that the prevalent
circumstances in the Middle East are still highly sensitive
and complicated. However, that is not a justification for
evading the democratic process.
The region had previously experienced the deferring, if not
freezing, comprehensive reform for many years, using all
kinds of pretexts until its problems piled up and its crises
increased. Therefore, it should not make the same mistake
again under the false impression that the relative abatement
in the international concern about the advancement of
democracy in the area would bring things back to their
previous stagnation.
The greatest mistake, in my judgment, is to subject the
progress toward democracy or retreat from it to messages
coming to the region from abroad, or to the degree of
external interest in its affairs, or to external pressures
put upon it. This is an immature conception that ignores the
free will of the people and their right to live a sound
political life where freedoms are respected and where all
people enjoy all rights, on top of which is the right to
participation in public affairs.
Any review of the democratic process in our region has to
probe into the causes that led to its slowness and delay.
First, I would like to refute any call trying to attribute
that to the culture of the region which is based on the
teachings of Islam: those sublime teachings which instruct
their followers to be forgiving, urge them to be tolerant,
make Shura and the rendering of advice obligatory, and
stress the sanctity of human rights.
We all know that these principles are the core of democratic
practice.
Moreover, if some in the West have slackened or given up
their support to the democratic project in the region, that
will not dissuade its peoples from that project nor will it
become a thwarting factor to their right to popular
participation, because people are always responsible for
their destinies.
We should not forget that some in our region have paid a
very high price to achieve political and social reform, and
gave all that was dear and precious long before the outside
world showed its interest in this issue.
It is therefore unjust to imagine that reform does move only
under foreign influence. And what took place recently in
Mauritania is a clear evidence to this. In this connection,
I would like to take the occasion to extend congratulations
to our brothers in Mauritania on the success of the Military
Council for Justice and Democracy in transferring power in a
democratic way to a civilian government through free
elections that respected the will of the people and their
right to participation.
The main reason for the democratic incapacity, in my view,
is due to the lack of correct understanding of reform, which
must be comprehensive and deep and not partial nor
intermittent. There can be no economic reform without
political reform, which must be supported and guided by
social reform.
In my view, reform is not a list of options from which we
choose, nor a collection of issues some of which can be
deleted or deferred.
The success of political reform is correlated to the success
of social reform, because democracy, like any political
practice, depends on the state of society and the way of
interaction among its individuals. Unless social relations
among people are based on tolerance, belief in freedom,
acceptance of diversity and the right to differ, democracy
would not develop nor would reform the complete.
The reform experience in Qatar has paid great attention to
the development of our social system according to a vision
that makes our true religious and national values compatible
with the spirit of the age and its requirements.
We focus in particular on education as an effective means
for sound social upbringing that makes way for creative
thinking and makes dialogue, collective work, and sharing
responsibility and indispensable course to decision making.
while consolidating this new social system needs time and
effort: yet it is a prerequisite for the political reform to
bear fruit.
We in Qatar are proud that our first legislative elections,
for which we are getting ready, will take place under a
social system that is aware of the value of participation
and its benefit for the present and future of the country.
While our region is going through a slow transitional
process toward democracy, on the contrary to that, it is
going through another fast process of mounting threats and
dangers.
Attention must be drawn here to the nature of the human
fabric of our region, which is one of the riches in the
world in its cultural, religious, ethnic and denominational
composition. This always calls for the co-operation among
all to ward off all sorts of sedition.
In this respect, we stress the importance of restoring
security and stability in Iraq, where the events taking
place there affect the safety of a wider regional circle. We
affirm that the addressing of Iraq's problems must remain in
the hands of the iraqis themselves.
We hope that they can soon be able to rebuild their country
on the basis of equality in citizenship under a democratic
system that guarantees their security and maintains Iraq's
unity and integrity.
We have to caution that any hasty move could lead to
triggering a new conflict in the region, which is certainly
not in need of it. As much as we know that the issue of
Iranian nuclear programme is a sensitive one, we believe
that solving it through peaceful means is the most
appropriate approach.
That is why I think the interest of all parties necessitates
a commitment of diplomatic action for the settlement of that
issue in such a way that the desire for peace prevails over
the unjustifiable rush to confrontation, in order to build a
world based on cooperation and not hatred, and seeks
rapprochement rather than establishing axes.
I must also reaffirm that establishing a just and
comprehensive peace in the Middle East that restores the
usurped rights of the people in Palestine, the Golan Heights
and Shebaa Farms is indispensable for the region to surpass
one of the most severe adversities to which it has been
exposed.
Reviewing the democratic process in the region, and the
challenges it has faced lately, cannot be complete without
reviewing the state of development in it. Democracy, as you
know, functions better when supported by comprehensive
development.
Though figures indicate that the region has seen some
increase in the rates of development during the last few
years, development cannot be measured by figures alone but
by the feelings and reactions of the people and the security
and assurance they have in their present day and future.
And this requires major projects and creative economic ideas
to which regional and international resources and
capabilities are amassed, because fostering development and
increasing the share of the Arab world in world trade are
two bases necessary for establishing comprehensive regional
stability that reinforces and supports world security.
Before concluding my address, I have to affirm that the
region's march toward democracy, development and the age of
free trade, even it is slow at times, will go on and be
completed because it is guided by man's instinctive desire
for freedom and his endeavour for progress and advancement.
The Arab citizen will not depart from the course taken by
all those who achieved freedom. Moreover, his legitimate
economic aspirations for a better future are not
illusionary.
At the same time, it has to be stressed that the region must
make that march by itself, and that the world ought to back
it in accomplishing that mission efficiently.
I hope, ladies and gentlemen, that your forum would continue
its role in supporting that mission because it is in the
interest of the entire world to back the progress of
democracy and the success of development in the Middle East
in as much as this region participates with its resources
and potentials in international development and prosperity.
MEANINGFUL dialogue and discussions
would contribute to the progress of humanity and political
and economic advancement, HE the
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim
bin Jabor al-Thani said. Welcoming delegates
to the conference, the prime minister said the agenda of the
conference included many issues that were directly linked to
reforms.
He said the forum started its activities in 2001. “Regular
conferences ensued with expansive and comprehensive
discussions on the activation of democracy, free trade,
economic rights, human rights, freedom of the press, the
role of women, dialogue among religions and civilizations,
education, the virtual relation between free trade and
development.
“It reflected a host of diverse issues, methods and
procedures of discussions”, he told the meeting.
Qatar had hosted the sixth International Conference for the
Modern and Restored Democracies last October. It would host
another conference on democracy and reform in the Arab world
in May, he added.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
said the positive relationship between free trade and
development was well established. “With the ease of travel,
shipping, and communications that our modern world provides,
the benefits of trade have become more evident than ever.
That is why it is so essential that there be a successful
conclusion to the Doha Round of trade talks. The global
trading regime needs to create opportunities for the poorest
countries instead of leaving them at a disadvantage”.
If the Doha Round failed, there would be serious damage to
those who could least afford it, to the multilateral trading
system, and to multilateralism itself. “Should this round of
trade talks succeed, Doha will become synonymous not only
with free trade, but also indelibly linked to development.”
Exchange of goods often became inseparable from exchange of
ideas, he said, referring to the link between democracy and
free trade.
The UN official quoted Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya
Sen as defining development “largely in terms of the amount
of freedom it gives individuals”.
Free trade, he said, “can be seen as the freedom to find a
market for something that one has created, or to buy
something that someone else has created, no matter how far
away”.
An essential feature of democracy was a free press able to
perform its vital work of informing and educating the voting
public without fear, harassment and censorship, he said.
Another was the separation of powers, in which not all power
was vested in a single institution or person, Ban Ki-Moon
said.
He said democracy was not a guarantee of success either in
formulating policies or implementing them. “But it is
without doubt our most powerful and just means for giving
everyone a chance to be part of the debate, for resolving
differences peacefully, and for building well-functioning
societies”.
The opening
session on ‘Democracy and reforms in the world
Initiating the discussions, moderated by
media personality David Frost, Leader of Britain’s House of
Commons Jack Straw said democracy is a precondition for
long-term peace and prosperity everywhere. “Where there is
democracy, chances for a conflict are less,” argued the
Labour parliamentarian.
Citing the case of Northern Ireland, where efforts are on to
form a power-sharing government, he said this was “possible
only because of the belief of all warring parties in
Northern Ireland in democratic principles.”
Observing that the Middle East was in the vanguard of a
major change, Straw expressed confidence that democracy
would sweep through the region in the not too distant
future.
While agreeing with most of Straw’s arguments, Arab League
Secretary General Amr Moussa criticised the “increasing
tendency among some strong powers to interfere in the
internal affairs of weaker countries in the name of
democracy.”
The former Egyptian foreign minister said that democracy was
not totally unknown to the Middle East. Egypt, he said, had
established a parliament in 1920. “It was not brought from
abroad. It was born in Egypt itself.” Moussa said the people
of Egypt had seen elections for long and they understood the
essence of democracy.
“However, it is a pity that some major democracies are
unwilling to accept the verdict of elections held under a
democratic system in an Arab country recently, when they
found that the results there had gone against their wishes,”
he said.
Drawing loud applause, Moussa asked Straw to explain why
democratic regimes like the US and Britain were indulging in
a “double game” in Iraq.
Another speaker at the session, deposed Thai prime minister
Thakshin Shinawatra, stressed that democracy was the best
form of governance to ensure the rule of law. “It would also
pave the way for social development of a society,” he said.
Shinawatra observed that military and dictatorial regimes
had not succeeded in meeting the people’s expectations.
For the successful functioning of a democracy, a free and
fearless media was a necessity. “Only under a set-up where
there is a free press could a democratic experiment
succeed,” Shinawatra said.
A market economy could flourish only under a democratically
elected government, he added.
Former Lebanese prime minister Saleem al-Hoss and Marc Harb,
a Canadian senator of Lebanese origin, also spoke.
The forum discussed ‘Freedom of media,’
‘Clash of civilizations’, ‘the gap between North and South’
and other topics.
The US is pumping out a large amount of
money to ‘freeze' young Muslim men on Arab Street, said Dr
Ananya Roy, an expert in International Affairs, from
University of California.
The idea was to retool of micro-credit as a technology
perfected by lending to poor married women in the densely
populated villages of Bangladesh for application to young
Arab men in urban settings. A recent Untied States Agency
for International development (USAid) meet witnessed an
explicit discussion on how to give loans to young men in
Arab countries, who will make ‘filafel' rather than becoming
suicide-bombers', she said.
Dr Roy was speaking on "Development at the Limits of Empire"
at a panel discussion on 'Empire and the Clash of
Civilization" at the Doha forum on Democracy, Development
and Free Trade".
Micro-credit is the practice of giving tiny enterprise loans
to very poor people, mainly women, without collateral, at
high interest rates but with proven record of high
repayment. Originating in Bangladesh, micro-credit is being
touted as a solution for everything: from American
inner-city poverty to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. But
the system is being now intelligently used by Washington DC
to create a `new Middle East', she said
If micro credit is being used as a safety valve in other
countries, Washington DC conceived it as a technique to
contain the anger and frustration of Arab youth on Street.
The US dollars is being lavishly imposed on Egypt and its
NGOs by powerful donors, she said.
"The unfolding of micro credit in Egypt shows us the
difficulties of reconciling with democracy and development…
Egypt is a development context saturated with American aid
with USAID as a prominent actor, often managing the agendas
of Egypt's development NGOs.", Dr. Roy said.
Prof Derek Gregory, University of British Columbia, USA
("Cultures of war: Imaginary Arab Cities"), Prof Mark
Gillen, University of Oregon, Euagene, USA(America Town:
Building the Outpost of Empire), dean John Lee, University
of California, Berkley, USA(Global disaster) and Raka Ray,
University of California, Berkley, USA(Recruiting gender for
the course of empire) were among others who presented their
papers.
Prof Nezar Al Sayyed, Center for Middle Easter Studies,
Berkeley Unviersity, California, USA was the moderator.
Respect for human rights create a climate of
freedom that is essential for the prosperity and success of
countries in a fiercely competitive globalizing world,
former South African President Fredrick De Klerk, said.
Human rights are important because of the intrinsic
contribution that they make to the quality of life of
individuals, he told participants at the Forum.
" The recognition of human rights provides the foundation
for the development of democratic society. Indeed genuine
democracies cannot function in the absence of the freedom of
speech and opinion, freedom to organize and to participate
in elections and freedom from arbitrary government actions,"
said De Klerk, who is also Chairman of the Global Leadership
Foundation.
He noted that the free systems of the West triumphed over
the totalitarian system of the Soviet Union and its
satellites, not because they had greater armies or military
resources, but because the closed Soviet system was not
competitive and was incapable of creativity and innovation
and the dynamism of a free society.
" The freedom assured by fundamental human rights empowers
people. It enables and invites them to compete in free
market places of ideas, of commodities and employment.
Overall it rewards the diligent, the creative and the
productive participants in the economy," he said.
The aggregate of the efforts of free people, he pointed out,
results almost inevitably in accelerated economic growth and
improved living standards.
Individual rights will become even more crucial to the
success of societies in a globalizing world, he said.
" The creative, productive and competitive individuals who
were essential for the success of any society will
increasingly be attracted to free environment where their
efforts will be properly recognized and rewarded with the
resulting brain-drain from less free societies," said De
Klerk.
He noted that there is close correlation between basic civil
and economic rights on the one hand and high economic growth
rates, low unemployment and improving living standards on
the other.
Accordingly, he said, respect for fundamental rights and for
economic freedom is increasingly becoming an indispensable
condition for societies that wish to compete successfully in
our globalizing world.
Today two billion of the six billion people living in this
world do not have human rights, they are being suppressed
and dying of hunger, he said, calling for discussion on ways
and means on how to move leaderships in those countries to
accept the need for change.
" We in South Africa have 30 years ago accepted that need.
We have avoided what everybody expected would be a
catastrophe. We could do it. It can be done in Palestine and
Israel. It can be done in all the many other conflict areas
throughout the world," he added.
“Is the West
really supportive of democracy in the Arab Region?” session
Scott Bates, a top official of the US-based
National Democratic Institute, a non-profit group working to
strengthen and expand democracy worldwide, was addressing
the concluding session of the forum at the Ritz-Carlton
Hotel.
The session’s theme was: “Is the West really supportive of
democracy in the Arab Region?”
Bates said that all Western societies were democratic in
character, principle and approach. “From Lisbon to Los
Angeles, we have many things in common and a common belief
that is deep-rooted in the ideologies of democracy.”
He said democracy was more than just elections. “It involves
the rule of law, protection of minority rights, protection
of human rights, freedom of press and government’s
accountability to people.”
Bates said democracy was in consonance with the general
values of the West and was probably the only tool to ensure
long-term security of any region.
Acknowledging that the people of the Western world were by
and large ignorant of the culture of the Middle East, Bates
however said that they had some understanding of the
region’s polity.
Asserting that the Western world, notably the US, was
working to promote democracy in the region, he recalled some
of the initiatives that Qatar had made in the last few
years, terming them as decisive steps on the road to
democracy. Bates also lauded HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin
Khalifa al-Thani’s inaugural speech at the forum, which he
said had clearly mentioned where the country was heading.
Expressing confidence that democracy would ultimately
succeed in the Middle East, Bates said he had great hope in
the region’s young generation. “It’s major strength is that
nearly 70% of the region’s population is less than 30 years
of age. That itself gives me enormous confidence about the
future of democracy in the region,” he said.
Speaking earlier, member of parliament from Bosnia and
Herzegovina Haris Silajdzic said state-sponsored violence
was working against the interests of those aspiring for
democracy in his country. Lashing out at the UN and
International Court of Justice for “remaining mute
spectators” to the cruelties in his country, Silajdzic said
the whole purpose of democracy stood defeated in such
circumstances.
Former Algerian premier Maloud Hamrouch said the absence of
proper platforms and credible political forces had led to
the failure of democracy in his country. “The absence of a
free press has contributed to the failure of democracy in
not only our country but in the entire region,” he said.
“ A number of regimes in the region have scant respect for
their constitution and power abuse is rampant,” Hamrouch
said. It had resulted in the denial of economic, political
and social rights to a large number of people.
Zsolt Nemeth, chairman of the foreign affairs parliamentary
committee of Hungary, former British foreign secretary Lord
Howe, and Kristi Westphalen, counsellor of the ministry of
foreign affairs of Finland, also spoke at the session.
Baroness Symons of Verham was the moderator.
Last panel
discussed 'The Arabs, the West and Democracy'
An important remark during the last panel
discussion on 'The Arabs, the West and Democracy' was made
by the UK's Lord Howe (a former foreign secretary) who
underlined the need to separate religion from politics as a
first crucial step towards installing democracy in the Arab
states.
Scott Bates, from the National Democratic Institute, the
USA, noted in his paper that the US' call for democratizing
the Arab world which was so pronounced in the past five
years or so, seemed to have become less intense.
However, striking an optimistic note about the region's
future, he said that since 70 per cent of the Arab
population was under 30 years of age, he had not lost hope.
Finland's Kristi Westphalen (a counselor at the foreign
ministry) called for closer interaction between the moderate
Arab and the Islamic movements which are non-violent. The
mainstream Islamic non-violent movements in the Arab world
have more appeal, she said.
Talking of Egypt circa 1990 in this context, she said it
should be remembered that the Islamic radicals had failed to
change the political reality despite their insurgency.
Hungary's Zsolt Nemeth (from the foreign affairs
parliamentary committee) noted that social reform and
stability in this part of the world was the key to world
energy security.
The issue could be discussed at length within the framework
of a free trade treaty to be signed between the GCC and the
European Union, he added.
Some speakers were sharply critical of Arab World
leadership:
“We have corrupt political and financial systems and weak
and backward societies,” said former Bahraini Education
Minister Dr. Ali Fakhroo, addressing a panel discussion on
political reforms.
Tribal and ethnic bickering, lack of unity and social
justice and near-absence of civil societies across the Arab
nation were identified by Fakhroo as some of the major ills
of the region.
“Democracy is a must to help secure the future of the
region,” he said.
Dr. Abdul Khalik Abdullah of the United Arab Emirates
University was said in the newspaper to have described the
Arab world as the most violent region in the world, impeding
the onset of reforms.
Dr. Shabbir Cheema of the United Nations said that while
Western media painted an image of Arabs being largely
disappointed with their regimes, the ground reality was not
that bad.
He said surveys have shown that Qatar tops the Arab world in
terms of judicial independence and figures at number 20 in
world rankings.
Generally speaking, Cheema said, people are losing trust in
their governments worldwide and placing more faith in NGOs,
media and businesses.
Former South African President Fredrick De Klerk spoke on
human rights and was quoted as saying that protection of
human rights is the key to empowerment.
"The recognition of human rights provides the foundation for
the development of democratic society. Indeed genuine
democracies cannot function in the absence of the freedom of
speech and opinion, freedom to organize and to participate
in elections and freedom from arbitrary government actions,"
said De Klerk, who is also Chairman of the Global Leadership
Foundation.
"We in South Africa have 30 years ago accepted that need. We
have avoided what everybody expected would be a catastrophe.
We could do it. It can be done in Palestine and Israel. It
can be done in all the many other conflict areas throughout
the world."
Dr Mohamed Eziddin Abdulmonem, Professor of International
Law and Member of U.N. Committee for Human Rights echoed De
Klerk's assertions and added detail to the obligations of
Arab states to ensure protections.
"There might be an imbalance in the actual debate on human
rights where there appear to be much more emphasis on civil
and political rights on the one hand and far less emphasis
on economic, social and cultural rights on the other hand.
In some cases people are too rich to care for civil and
political rights and in other people are too poor even to be
able to practice their civil and political rights. This
imbalance has to be redressed," he said.
Dr Azmi Bishara, an Arab Israeli who recently resigned from
that country's parliament, was a surprise attendee who spoke
on democracy in Israel, describing the Jewish democracy as
meant only for a select few from certain ethnic categories.
On education, Dr Joseph Jabbra, President of the American
University of Beirut spoke, stressing the need for a
strategic plans for education development in the Arab World,
according to The Peninsula.
Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser bin Khalid Al Thani said that
good governance is largely a matter of tapping into the
potential of the country's population.
"We have hidden reserves of talent in the region, a center
of spirit of creativity and resourcefulness. Our leaders are
charged with creating an environment in which these reserves
of human energies can be harnessed," she said.
Dr Fadhil Mahdi, of the Economic and Social Commission for
Western Asia in Lebanon, presented a paper at a session on
the impact of globalization in Developing Countries
suggesting that there is a general consensus that opening up
markets for developing countries exports has been good for
development and growth in those economies.
Finland's Kristi Westphalen (a counselor at the foreign
ministry) called for closer interaction between the moderate
Arab and the Islamic movements which are non-violent. The
mainstream Islamic non-violent movements in the Arab world
have more appeal, she said.
Main focus on
human rights
HUMAN RIGHTS were the focus of discussion in
the concluding session of the seventh Doha Forum on
Democracy, Development and Free Trade.
Cyril Vichy of the US based international civil society for
democracy who presided over the session said in his opening
remarks that the media is a powerful tool and has a long
range impact in dealing with human rights issues.
The first speaker was the former president of the Republic
of South Africa, F W De Klerk.
He said: Why are human rights important? And why is it in
the interest of wise leaders to promote the freedom of
individuals? “Human rights are important not only because of
the intrinsic contribution that they make to the quality of
life of individuals. They also create a climate of freedom
that is essential for the prosperity and success of
countries in a fiercely competitive globalising world.
“Britain was the first country to enter the Industrial Age,
not because of the size of population, the extent of its
territory or the resources that it controlled. The critical
success factor was that the English enjoyed far greater
personal freedom and security from arbitrary state action
that their counterparts anywhere else in the world – even
though the country was still very far from being a
constitutional democracy.
“The fact is that already by the 18th century Englishmen
enjoyed the protection of a reasonably independent legal
system. In a period of absolute monarchs in most of the rest
of Europe, there were effective constraints on the power of
British kings and governments to do as they pleased.
“There is a close correlation between basic civil and
economic rights on the one hand, and high economic growth
rates, low unemployment and improving living standards on
the other.
Accordingly, respect for fundamental rights and for economic
freedom is increasingly becoming a sine qua non for
societies wish to compete successfully in our globalizing
world”
The next speaker, Khalid al-Atiyyah, chairman of Qatar’s
national committee for human rights highlighted the point
that human rights should be understood as the inalienable
rights of every person irrespective of his nationality,
religion, race or economic and social standing.
These are natural rights that cannot be taken away from
anybody.
He further said: Man as a social being lives in a social
milieu where human rights are an integral part of his life.
There is no scope for any philosophical interpretation of
these rights. But these rights have to be considered within
the
dictates of the socio-political environment in which one
lives. “Participation in the political life of one’s country
is deemed as a right. But the mechanism of participation is
subject to the constitutional provisions of the concerned
country.
“Every country passes through certain stages of political
growth. Until the 17th and 18th centuries human rights in
all parts of the world were considered as a domain reserved
for males only.
“Similarly economic and social rights did not emerge until a
later period.
“However the revealed religions and different schools of
philosophy guaranteed human rights all through history. “It
is also to be noted that human rights have been abused and
transgressed across the ages.
Changes in
Iraq oil law criticized
EASM al-Jalabi, former minister of oil in
Iraq, has blasted the recent amendments of the oil law in
Iraq as a “divisive factor” of the Iraqi nation by giving
expanded powers to the oil producing provinces in Iraq at
the expense of the central government powers.
Esam al-Jalabi, who was the oil minister from 1987 till
1990, criticised the new law saying that the Iraqi
government was under the US pressure during the drafting of
the law.
“The oil law is mainly meant to ensure the return of the
foreign oil companies to work in the extraction of the oil
in Iraq,” he said.
He said that though the government had approved of the draft
of the law on February 26, it had failed to submit it to the
Iraqi parliament because of the public objections raised
against it.
“Iraq was ranked the second largest in oil reserves when the
whole sector was run by national experts and central
governments. But now there is deterioration in the
production and exports level,” he noted.
Al-Jalabi also said that Iraq’s oil reserves were currently
being squandered and smuggled by different militia. “While
the oil prices are soaring and all the oil producing
countries are getting richer, we find that this is not the
case in Iraq which has the second largest oil reserves. The
whole sector is being crippled and sustaining heavy losses,”
he said.
He pointed out that some US reports had referred to big
corruption cases in the oil sector in which officials and
ministers are involved. “There is unprecedented increase in
the oil products being sold in the black market,”
he added.
Man by nature has a proclivity to go beyond his limit and
transgress on the rights of others. “It is in this context
the Holy Qur’an says: “Nay but man
doth transgress all bounds, in that he looketh upon himself
as self-suffiecient” (96:6-7)
“We may conclude on the note that human rights in the
present age are a symbol of progress and development and
have been enshrined in all the
constitutions.”
The 7th Doha forum on democracy, development and free trade
kicks off on the 23rd of April 2007 with participation of
leading intellectuals, politicians and academics from Qatar
and the world.
The Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al
Thani and his consort Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser
Al-Misnad sponsored the opening of the Forum.
His Highness the Emir addressed the participants during the
opening session of the forum. The activities started with a
welcome speech by His Excelency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin
Jabor Al-Thani, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of
the State of Qatar. In addition, Mrs. Tarja Halonen, the
president of Finland, and Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the UN General
Secretary both delivered speeches in the opening session.
HH the Emir said.
“The hope was that the region would make up for the time it
missed and make a shortcut to catch up with the global march
to freedom.
“But you know that what has been achieved so far is not up
to the aspired level. Of late, there has even been a sort of
lassitude and slackness in pushing forward the reform
process with the pretext that the conditions in the region
do not allow” it.
The region had previously experienced the deferring, if not
freezing, comprehensive reform for many years, using all
kinds of pretexts until its problems piled up and its crises
increased.
“Therefore, it should not make the same mistake again under
the false impression that the relative abatement in the
international concern about the advancement of democracy in
the area would bring things back to their previous
stagnation”, HH the Emir said.
It was a big mistake, HH the Emir stressed, to subject the
progress toward democracy or retreat from it, to messages
coming from abroad, or to external pressures.
A number of Their Excellencies sheikhs and ministers
together with the Speaker of the Advisory Council, several
heads of diplomatic missions in Doha, ranking officials,
guests and businessmen attended the opening of the forum.
In a speech to the forum, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
said globalization had made travel, shipping and
communications much easier and made the benefits of trade
more evident than ever.
Various issues of concern to participating countries and
other world countries took up for discussion during the
forum to be held at Ritz Carlton hotel in Doha.
The forum discussed the following issues:
The Conferees met together at sessions each moderated by six
who shared discussion with the participants.
About 90 participants, representing leading politicians,
Businessmen, studies and research centers, academics and the
media were there to debate issues on the forums agenda.
More than 500 participants from 70 countries took part in
the forum and for the first time a large number of Arab
businessmen attended.
Doha forum on democracy, development and free trade had
earned a position among the big similar conferences held in
Europe and the middle east and had succeeded in drawing
attention of many renowned figures from among politicians ,
businessmen and researchers because of the freedom in which
it tackles issues and the outstanding participation.
Visions about problems and obstacles facing Democracy, trade
and development was forged during the forum and some
solutions was prescribed.
Experts considered the forum an opportunity for helping the
reforms process in the world a matter that could result in
some change in policies, especially regarding democracy and
development and their role in the development of people and
nations.
The forum focused on issues such education, the role of
regions in society, liberties, women freedom and other
social issues.
Assistant foreign minister for follow up affairs H.E.
Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumeihi said the forum provide an
opportunity to participates to witness the great
developmental rise Qatar is witnessing, economically,
socially and culturally under the leadership of H.H. the
Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa AlThani and H.H. the heir
apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani.
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